As part of the work of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) in organisations in England and Wales, The Truth Project received thousands of reports from victims of child sexual abuse, which have now been summarised in a report: "I will be heard."
Some its comments in relation to child sexual abuse in religious/faith contexts:
"In religious contexts, victims and survivors frequently discussed the perceived power, authority and reverence bestowed upon religious organisations and individuals, leading to disclosures not being believed, or in some cases covered up."
One of the reasons commonly given for not addressing allegations of child sexual abuse were that "different institutions have different logics that do not follow those elsewhere (for example some religious organisations)"
"When under duress, institutions may use ‘othering’ of victims and survivors to sow doubt and create an ‘us versus them’ mentality, or they may use the myth of the ‘bad apple’ in relation to perpetrators. Examples include sexual assault in the military, healthcare, sports and religious institutions."
Read IICSA’s report in summary or full.
Read a post about the IICSA report ‘Child protection in religious organisations & settings’.